Competency-Based Education (CBE) Tools & Resources

Explore these resources to learn more about competency-based education. We also welcome you to learn more about our online learning services at pearsononlinelearning.com.

Competency-Based Education Framework & Readiness Assessment

Pearson’s thought leaders in competency-based education created this tool to help institutions gauge their readiness to implement a CBE program. The framework outlines seven necessary components to consider—from market analysis and program design to admissions/registration and continuous improvement—to help you deliver effective competency-based education.

Competency-based learning builds a foundation for achievement by enabling institutions to serve more students in less time, at a lower cost, and with a focus on real learning that leads to greater employability. Learn more about CBE and what some institutions have achieved by partnering with Pearson.

Putting Students First: The Case for Competency-Based Education

What is competency-based Education? How can we really know that it’s an effective model for improving the state of higher education? Learn more about competency-based learning and institutions that are implementing it well.

Defining Competency-Based Education at Northern Arizona University

Dr. Corrine Gordon, Northern Arizona University (NAU), explores what it means to be a truly educated person and whether seat time is the best way to measure learning. Hear how competency-based education is being used at NAU to ensure that learning comes first.

Competency-Based Learning Comes to THECB

In this interview, Dr. Van Davis of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) explains the value his organization sees in competency-based learning and discusses why this increasingly popular model of education is being embraced by his state.

Creating Pathways for More Affordable Degree Programs in Texas

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and College for All Texans Foundation have partnered with Pearson to work with two state institutions—Texas A&M University-Commerce and South Texas College—to create a competency-based education Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Organizational Leadership. Learn more about this collaboration.

The long-held notion that learning can be confined to a space-time continuum with “seat” as the space and “credit hour” as the variable for time is rapidly declining in appeal. Learn how competency-based education disrupts the traditional education model by providing more relevant learning credentials, a more qualified future workforce, and a chance for gainful employment.

Competency-Based Education: New Findings from Experimental Sites

In “Experimental Sites Concept Paper: Competency-Based Education” (courtesy of Inside Higher Ed), 17 institutions that are engaging with competency-based learning modalities respond to the U.S. Department of Education’s request for information. Learn how these institutions are using competency-based learning and why they feel so strongly about its benefits.

Addressing the College Readiness Crisis: Innovative Strategies for Developmental Education

Dr. Rhonda Tracy, senior vice president of academic affairs at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, explains how her institution redesigned its curriculum using competency-based modules. Learn how the university used competency-based education to accelerate learning.

CBL Raises the Bar for the Education Community

The U.S. Department of Education’s approval of student financial aid eligibility for a competency-based learning (CBL) program at Southern New Hampshire University may indicate an important shift toward the acceptance of CBL from the higher education community at large. Brent Capriotti, educational consultant on Pearson’s Custom Curriculum team, addresses some fears and concerns about the efficiency of the model.

Lessons Learned @ LearnLaunch 2014

Will competency trump a degree? Yes, it’s disruptive and has the potential to cause temporary discomfort, but competency-based education is apparently here to stay. Learn how CBE helps bridge the gap between education and employment.

What are the benefits of a rigorous and well-designed competency-based learning program for students’ higher education experience? Flexibility, affordability, accelerated learning, and focus. Learn how competency-based learning can help institutions reach more students and produce graduates who are ready for gainful employment that is directly related to their chosen educational path.
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Into the Crystal Ball with Jeff Borden: Education Predictions for 2014 and Beyond

Dr. Jeff Borden, vice president of academic strategy & instruction at Pearson, predicts that competency-based learning will become one of the big eLearning trends. Learn about the implications of the rise of CBE.

Changing the Rules: Competency-Based Learning in Higher Education

What happens to commonly held ideas about accreditation and the sacred credit hour, as educators realize that seat time is not that indicative of student success and the attainment of practical knowledge takes center stage? Learn about the challenges facing institutions following the rise of competency-based education.

Student-directed Learning: The Student Conductor

Currently, most college-level courses follow a one-size-fits-all schedule. Competency-based education offers an alternative approach. However, the model should not be seen as a way to bypass the expertise of the instructor. Learn how competency-based education provides student-centered instruction.